THE WILLOW WAY NEWS

October 20191715 Willow Way, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 3W5

Phone: 905-567-0237 Fax: 905-567-8904Trustee: Robert Crocker

Superintendent: Dr Gale Solomon-HenryPrincipal: J. McKay

Office Manager: M. Lehoux

Important Dates:Sept. 30-Oct. 4 Jungle sport/Book Fair Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30: Pizza Days Oct. 3: Open House: Class Visits 6-7 p.m. & Book Fair 6-8 p.m. Oct. 5: World Teacher’s Day Oct. 7: Photo Day Oct. 11: PA Day (no school) Oct 14: Thanksgivi

http://

schools.peelschools.org/1548

@willowwayps

Principal’s Message…

At WILLOW WAY, we fill each other’s buckets!

Throughout the month of September, our teachers have been talking about filling each other’s buckets. The goal that the teachers want to achieve by talking to students about bucket filling is to promote positivity and to encourage students to support and care for each other.

Many children’s books about happiness or caring for each other are as much about achieving happiness as they are about expressing kindness. The message of the book, “How full is your bucket?”, is that happiness or unhappiness depends on our choices. The theme of the book is based on the belief that when you choose to be a kind, caring and responsible person, you will experience true happiness. For us at Willow Way, we are committed to becoming “bucket fillers” because we believe that happiness is not a pursuit. It is not about having; it is about thinking, being and doing.

To help our students experience true happiness, we are taking action and celebrating the many ways we can fill each other’s buckets so that each one of us can participate in school life with a happy heart and a full bucket! We also encourage parents to talk to their children about ways they can fill buckets at home and in their community!

Mrs. McKay

Oct. 23 Opportunity to Say ‘Thanks’ to Bus Drivers

Peel schools will pay tribute to bus drivers on Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Oct. 23, 2019. The day will be celebrated with special activities and events that provide teachers, students and parents an opportunity to thank the people who safely transport over 36,000 students to and from school each day.

If your child rides the bus to school, take this opportunity to thank the bus driver for their contribution and ask your child to do so too. The Peel board appreciates the important job bus drivers do each school day and Oct. 23 provides an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they deserve.

Keeping Lunches and Snacks Peanut-Free

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects some children. We ask that you help us take care of these students by sending lunches and snacks for your child that are free from peanuts or nuts, because these foods are the leading cause of anaphylaxis. Please read the label of any food you plan to send to school with your child. If the label says, "May contain nuts or peanuts," please do not send it to school. You can get a complete copy of the Peel board's anaphylaxis guideline at www.peelschools.org under the Parent tab, under Student Health

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Becoming Aware of Your Own Self-CareFrom the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team

Taking care of oneself is crucial and necessary for everyday well-being and stress management. This applies to children, youth and adults. For students who are managing multiple transitions, their daily workload, tests and deadlines, as well as navigating peer relationships, coping comes easier when their basic needs are met. For parents, educators and other adults who take on caring roles, caring for others comes easier when our basic needs are attended to as well.

Consider the following areas of self-care:

Eat: We all need to refuel. If you are under a lot of stress, be mindful of the foods you choose. Keep a healthy snack nearby so that you can refuel easily and avoid being “hangry”.

Sleep: Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Research has shown that getting five hours or less of sleep a night can create health problems. Getting enough sleep also helps you to better deal with the stresses of everyday life.

Drink: Drink a lot of water and consider decreasing or discontinuing caffeine intake. Our body’s response to caffeine can mimic a stress reaction and can cause you to feel nervous or contribute to sleeping difficulties.

Move: The positive effects of being physically active are astounding. It increases your energy, enhances your immune system, reduces insomnia, stimulates brain growth and acts as an anti-depressant. You can achieve these benefits by as little as a 30-minute walk.

Connect: Strong social connections are one of the most powerful influences on our well-being. Those who are dedicated to spending time with family and friends show the highest levels of happiness. If you can’t see your loved ones every day, you can still leave a note, send an email, or make a phone call.

Pause: Be sure to take time for yourself during the day. Take a few deep breaths, meditate, do a few stretches, take a brisk walk, or do some other activity that helps you feel restored.

What area(s) of self-care do you find easy to prioritize? What area(s) are most difficult? What one area could you work on improving over the next month or so? Consider discussing these areas with your family members. Perhaps individual family members may want to set a personal goal or the entire family may want to work on a shared family goal.

Also, remember to repeat. Research has shown that it takes approximately 21 days to establish a new habit or routine. By focusing on just one self-care practice for the next month, it is much more likely that you will incorporate this practice into your daily routine over the long term!

For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel.

Adapted from School Mental Health Ontario (2018) tipsheet “Personal Resiliency: The Basics of Self-Care

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Peel District School Board recognizedOrange Shirt Day on September 27th

First launched in 2013 in Williams Lake, Orange Shirt Day commemorates the history and the legacy of residential schools, and the strength and fortitude of residential school Survivors and their descendants. Although Orange Shirt Day is on Monday, September 30, 2019 Peel District School Board schools and worksites recognized the day on Friday September 27, 2019. Students and staff were encouraged to wear orange shirts at schools in recognition of the day. Furthermore, staff were encouraged to investigate age appropriate Peel resources to help all students understand the history of residential schools.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) has issued 94 Calls to Action, which include calls for schools and communities to teach students about Canada’s history of residential schools. Addressing the TRC’s Calls to Action are embedded in the Peel board’s commitments to achieve inclusion for all through continuous progress on equity. These commitments are captured in the Board’s Plan for Student Success. The board is proud to support Orange Shirt Day to help engage students in learning about the Residential School System and its legacy in Canada.

At Willow Way Public School we recognized this very important day at our Celebration Assembly on Sept. 27, 2019. This assembly focused on the theme of building self-esteem and the first habit, “Being Proactive”. Students were celebrated and recognized for the many ways they have been proactive in their learning and we also embedded conversation about the history of Orange Shirt Day to help our students understand and appreciate the resiliency of residential school Survivors and their descendants.

For more information on Orange Shirt Day, visit www.orangeshirtday.org

Celebrate Teacher’s Recognition Day in Peel

Since 1994, parents and students from around the world have celebrated World Teachers’ Day to commemorate the work of teachers and their contributions to society. On Oct. 4, take the time to let your child's teacher know he or she is truly appreciated. Thank your child's teacher and let them know they are making a difference.

October is International Walk to School Month4

According to the 2015 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card, about 91 per cent of 5-to-17-year-olds are not meeting Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines to get at least 60 minutes of daily moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity. These declining activity levels are linked to obesity, illness and chronic diseases (i.e., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer).

Using active transportation for the school journey is one of the easiest ways for students to get regular daily physical activity. Managing time to allow for the walk or bike ride to school will become a positive habit that leads to children arriving on time, refreshed and energized for the school day. In fact, University of Illinois research has found that just 20 minutes of easy walking boosts performance in the areas of the brain that support math and reading achievement.

Walking to school also helps out the environment. Eliminating just four short trips per week can reduce emissions by up to 100 kg of carbon dioxide per year. Families that participate in active travel to school can prevent almost 1,000 kg of carbon dioxide per year and save money in fuel costs as well. Also, when more children walk to school and fewer parents drive their children, the areas near school zones become safer for pedestrians.

To participate try throughout the month, if you can—to walk, bike, blade, scooter, skip or hop to school….but don’t drive!

International Walk to School month is part of the Active & Safe Routes to School program. Visit www. saferoutestoschool . ca / for more information.

Willow Way Public School celebrates Islamic Heritage Month

On April 9, 2019, as part of the board’s commitment to equity and inclusion, the Peel board approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Islamic Heritage Month in October. In addition to Islamic Heritage Month, the Peel board also approved motions to recognize and celebrate Indigenous Heritage Month and Hindu Heritage Month in November, Sikh Heritage Month in April and Jewish Heritage Month in May. The board will continue to recognize Black History Month in February, Asian Heritage Month in May and Pride Month in June.

The Government of Canada first established October as Islamic History Month in 2007 while the Province of Ontario declared the month of October as Islamic Heritage Month in 2016.

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During Islamic Heritage Month, schools across Peel will participate in a number of activities that recognize and celebrate the rich heritage, history, culture and contributions of Muslim Canadians as well as Muslim communities from around the world.

Tips to Ensure the Safety of Students

At the Peel District School Board, the safety and well-being of students remains our top priority. While staff do their best to support students at school, parents are encouraged to remind their child(ren) to not touch or pick-up any unfamiliar or sharp items found at the school or elsewhere. This includes needles, syringes, plants, animals and more. When a child encounters any unfamiliar items, they should notify an adult.

Here are some helpful tips for parents/guardians to share with their child(ren):

1. Leave unfamiliar or sharp items alone. Items include: Broken glass Sharp metal or splintered wood Live or dead animals Needles or syringes Barrels, cans or buckets Spray cans Heavy objects Plants, such as poison ivy

2. If they encounter such items, inform an adult so they may notify proper authorities or dispose of it safely.

3. Educate your child(ren) to identify unfamiliar items. Talk to them about why they should not be touching these items.

4. Let nature be natural. Leave nature materials alone: logs, leaves, branches, sticks, etc. Do not dig up big items. Digging may lead to erosion.

5. What happens when you touch an unfamiliar item. If a child touches any of these objects or hurt themselves, they should notify an

adult immediately. Even a small cut can become infected. 6. Be mindful of your surroundings. Children can find unfamiliar items in familiar settings,

such as their neighborhood or school grounds. Remind them to notify an adult when they encounter any of these items.

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